Wilmington police set up a perimeter and deployed a helicopter Thursday night in search of a man suspected of robbing the Lucky Sweepstakes parlor and two people at 2900 Carolina Beach Road, according to the city’s police department.

Lucy Crockett, a spokeswoman for the Wilmington Police Department, said an employee told police the man entered the parlor and pointed a “large handgun” at her, forcing her to give him a bag of cash.

Investigators believe that before robbing the sweepstakes parlor, however, the man approached two people in a nearby parking lot and demanded their wallets. Crockett said one of them handed the man her make

When officers arrived and learned that the man had fled on foot they established a perimeter, called in the SABLE helicopter and dispatched the K-9 unit.

“After an exhaustive serach, officers determined that the robber most likely had left the area in a vehicle,” Crockett said.

Police are searching for a black male with dreadlocks. He was wearing black clothes, black gloves and a ski mask. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the WPD at 343-3600. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Text-A-Tip program by texting Tip708 and the information to CRIMES (274637).

About This Blog

Behind the Yellow Tape reports on crime and law enforcement in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. We cover your well-being. We’ll bring you stories, pictures and videos about everything from traffic accidents to drug busts to violent crime, including on-the-scene updates posted to Yellow Tape.

We’re also here to talk with you. We’ll share the news of the day, but we want your tips, reactions and ideas. Got a hot story? E-mail or call one of our bloggers. Want to say something about a post? Leave a comment. We want to start a civil discussion about how and what Behind the Yellow Tape covers.

Hello, I’m Brian Freskos. I’ve been at the StarNews since August, 2010, and I am the newspaper’s primary crime and public safety reporter. I’m the main contributor to this blog, but my colleagues will also post from time to time. I also moderate the comments. If you have a question or concern, email me at Brian.Freskos@StarNewsOnline.com.